LUXURY HOTEL INSIDER

The Luxury Hotel Insider:Exclusive luxury hotel deals, features and special rates from the luxury hotel experts at Five Star Alliance.

Named one of Tripbase's Best Luxury Travel Blogs for 2011, below are Five Star Alliance's newest articles featuring exclusive information on luxury hotels worldwide including special offers and deals at the world's best hotels.

Aspen's only ski-in, ski-out hotel, The Little Nellis a luxury hotel with the city out the front door and Aspen Mountain out the back door. Offering mountain and lobby concierges, the property prides itself on hospitality. Designed as a gathering place for the free-spirited, the hotel is a year-round destination for food, wine, art, and adventure activities. Continue reading below.

Tip: visit the hotel for New Year's Eve when the resort hosts "The Dom Perignon Party" with DJs on multiple levels of the hotel, open bar, food stations, and bottomless Dom Perignon. There's also three snowcats, or "NYE Clicquot Cats" available for buy-out for up to 12 guests for a unique view of the fireworks shows over Aspen Mountain.

Five Star Alliance Perk: All guests making reservations with Five Star Alliance receive a daily breakfast credit for two at Element 47 restaurant, $100 food and bevearage credit, personalized welcome note, and VIP status. Also, subject to availability, room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out.

Paris is the ultimate shopper's paradise with shops along the Champs Champs-Élysées, fine department stores, and chic boutiques around every corner. Whether you're seeking a fabulous holiday shopping excursion in the city of lights, or you'd like to give the gift of a memorable vacation this holiday season, here's a list of a few of our favorite Paris hotels offering special perks for Five Star Alliance guests.

1. Nolinski Paris - steps away from the Palais Royal Gardens, this boutique hotel opened earlier this year. Set in a Haussmanian Building, the pet-friendly hotel has a spa and brasserie. Five Star Alliance Perk: guests receive a welcome pastry or appetizer, and a smartphone to use during the stay with unlimited international phone calls and internet.

2. Victoria Palace Hotel - set in the 6th arrondissement, steps away from Rue de Rennes, this historic hotel has been a Paris landmark since 1913, the hotel offers understated Left Bank luxury, upscale amenities, and a centralized location with easy access to public transportation. Five Star Alliance Perk: guests making reservations with Five Star Alliance receive complimentary full breakfast for two, 40 Euro bar credit per room, and welcome chocolates.

3. Hotel du Louvre - overlooking the famous Louvre Museum, this historic property was built in 1855. There's the reknowned Brasserie du Louvre on-site, and the Bar offers Napoleon III style with jazz evenings. Five Star Alliance Perk: guests that book with Five Star Alliance receive a complimentary welcome cocktail.

4. La Tremoille - nestled along a quiet street in the heart of the Golden Triangle, combines a Haussman-era building with contemporary styling, for a modern retreat close to the Champs-Elysees, Georges V Avenue, and Montaigne Avenue. Five Star Alliance Perk: guests that book with Five Star Alliance receive a complimentary box of Laduree Macaroons.

5. Hotel Pont Royal - in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres, close to Cafe de Flore and the Musee d'Orsay, the hotel offers original painintgs by Beaux Arts students, Parisian views, and L' Atelier de Joel Robuchon with new French cuisine. Five Star Alliance Perk: guests making reservations with Five Star Alliance receive daily buffet breakfast for two, WiFi and on-demand video, plus a 30 Euro beverage credit.

Providing a luxurious mountain getaway, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is set at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, with ski-in/ski-out access. Offering year-round resort amenities, the property has a golf club with driving range, yoga classes, family activities, Vida Spa, Village Shuttle, and a rooftop wedding chapel overlooking the mountains.

Considered one of the U.S.A.'s most culturally and historically diverse cities, New Orleans is a melting pot of culture, food, and music. Offering a host of restaurants, live music venues, historical sites, and cultural attractions, along with a long list of luxury hotel options, it can be difficult to choose where to stay.

Here are Three Boutique Hotel options in New Orleans:

1. The Audubon Cottages provide a historic setting in the French Quarter, with one and two bedroom suites set within seven private cottages. Offering a high level of service, guests have full access to additional amenities at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel including valet parking, fitness center, and continental breakfast. Continue below the photo.Check rates and availability at the Audubon Cottages >>

2.Set in the French Quarter, the iconicBourbon Orleans Hotel offers a historic venue that recently underwent a multi-million dollar transformation. Classically furnished, guest rooms are designed for the modern traveler with plush pillowtop beds and walk-in showers. Steps away from Bourbon and Royal Streets, the hotel has a private courtyard with an outdoor pool, plus the Roux on Orleans restaurant. Read more below. Check rates and availability at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel >>

3. Modern and trendy, the Hotel Le Marais is a chic hotel in the French Quarter. Combining a historic backdrop with contemporary styling, the trendy bar Vive! features signature cocktails, and a chic lounge that opens to a French Quarter courtyard with a heated outdoor pool and lounge space. Check rates and availability at Hotel Le Marais >>

Nestled at the edge of the slopes, the Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles is set within the Palace of Courcheval. One of the 16 Palaces of France, the hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, with a genuine Alpine feel. Read more below.

For the ultimate in luxury, the Private Penthouse Apartment at Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles offers a unique four bedroom residential style setting on the top floor of the castle. Overlooking the snow-topped mountains, the 5,900-square-foot apartment has a private elevator with direct access, and a private en suite spa. Offering a full range of services, Penthouse guests reach the spa by climbing a flight of stairs, past a waterfall, to a relaxing haven with a full bay window sauna, sensory shower, ice fountain, and a jacuzzi overlooking the mountain. Continue reading below the photo.

The main living space has a dining room with a private bar that includes a glass door cellar with fine wines and spirits, plus a living room with a substantial fireplace, lounge area, and home theater. Each of the four bedrooms is equipped with its own bathroom with a walk-in closet, bathtub, and steam shower. Continue reading below the photo.

To top it off, the private apartment has a 1,600-square-foot terrace with unobstructed views of the Courcheval slopes and a jacuzzi. More below the photo.

In addition to the private apartment, the Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles has 37 rooms and 14 suites. Offering a mountainside location, the property offers ski-in/ski-out access, ski valet, ski technician, and a ski room. Spa Cellcosmet offers a variety of services, there are four restaurants, and the bar of Les Airelles offers cozy salons and a smoking room.

Nestled mid-mountain amongst the pines, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, offers ski-in/ski-out access to Northstar California. The family-friendly retreat features a variety of snow activities, après ski experiences, and signature offerings, including the Marshmology program that happens nightly at the firepits with winter-themed s'mores and details about the history of marshmallows (photo below). In addition, the mountain resort announced new winter offerings and introduced Executive Chef Mark Jeffers and Pastry Chef Shawna Peterson to its culinary program. Read more below the photo. Après-Ski Programs
Offered daily by the resort fire pits from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Après-Ski Champagne Experience* features a raw bar with chef-prepared favorites including ceviche and oysters on the half shell, and Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial. The Après Yoga & Strech combines gentle movements to rejuvenate tired muscles for a day on the slopes, and the Après-Ski Recovery spa treatment is a tension relief-focused treatment for aching muscles that includes the Arnica Turmeric Joint formulas a take home gift. Continue reading below. Winter Activities
The Winter Stargazing Snowshoe Tour* is led by local star guide and poet, Tony Berendsen. Offered December 21, December 28, January 14, and February 11, guests are taken on a winter starry night snowshoe tour that includes a laser tour of constellations, telescopic viewing, educational presentation, space quiz for prizes, and a poetry reading. For families, the Winter Scavenger Hunt encourages young travelers to use a map to find hidden objects and win prizes. There's also the Where is the Bear? hide-and-seek program held daily in the living room, as well as special Ritz Kidz winter offerings. Read more below. Culinary Offerings
The Winter Vintner Dinner Series includes a four-course meal highlighting Northern California wineries, and will be held on January 12, February 9, and March 9. The resort's signature restaurant, Manzanita will also offer Sunday Brunch, plus a Skier's Lunch Buffet will be offered daily from December 19 to January 7, and on Saturdays throughout the winter season. Continue below. Check rates and availability at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe >>*Please note dates and offers were provided by The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe and are subject to change at any time.

Set on the southern tip of the island of Bali, the Four Seasons Bali Jimbaran Bay is an oceanfront luxury resort. Designed as a traditional Balinese village, the property offers a range of amenities including cultural tours, Jimba Kids' Club, Balinese dance performances, Sunrise & Surya Yoga, plus kayaking and catamaran cruises on Jimbaran Bay. Learn more about the resort in the article below from our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, by Bob Curley.

Find the Bali Beyond the Beach at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay
Long before Bali became known primarily for its beach parties, this Indonesian island was a quiet artists' community, and still retains a vibrant arts scene. It's a quieter side of Bali that the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay resort is hoping to channel with a new set of traditional villas and the establishment of the Ganesha Cultural Centre, a showplace for traditional art, crafts, and music.
In a setting reminiscent of a Balinese village, the resort's new two-bedroom, Jimbaran Bay, and Premier villas are built from locally sourced materials, from wood floors to thatched roofs. Each villa is also decorated with original artwork, and bedrooms abut a common living area that flows into the sundeck with a pool and outdoor dining area, the latter set on a cliff's edge.
Luxury Travel Advisor thinks the redo at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay will appeal to VIPs seeking a more authentic Bali experience — or at least a trip that doesn’t focus on partying until dawn. The destination, of course, offers plenty of opportunities to engage in Balinese culture, from visiting the Tanah Lot temple on its narrow perch above the sea to browsing the stalls in the Ubud Art Market. The Ganesha Cultural Centre, located on the resort grounds, expands the former Ganesha Gallery by adding hands-on learning programs to the static displays.
“We believe it is our responsibility, as well as our honor, to give guests the opportunity to personally meet and learn from Bali’s talented artists, who are hand-picked and invited to share their knowledge and skills,” said Uday Rao, general manager of Four Seasons Resorts Bali, in a written release.
For example, guests can take lessons in woodcarving, weaving, painting, and dancing, and learn the proper way to make offerings at Balinese ceremonies. The Jimbaran Bay resort also has a Balinese cooking academy, an on-site Hindu temple, and a cultural immersion program that includes tours led by a resident Balinese priest.

Planning a trip to Washington D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration? We've pulled together a list of luxury hotels with availability* for Inauguration Day on January 20, 2017 and surrounding dates. As a point of reference, the ceremony is scheduled to begin at noon. The parade will follow at approximately 2:30 p.m., with public viewing areas typically opening at 6:30 a.m.

Offering a private balcony jutting over the pier with panoramic views of the Sydney Harbour, the Admiral Suite at the Pier One Sydney Harbour provides guests with incomparable views in a luxurious setting. The living area and bedroom combine classic style with historic furnishings from design houses in France and Australia, along with modern details like a Bose sound system, two LED flat-screen TVs, and a marble topped wet bar with a Nespresso coffee machine.

One of the suite's finest amenities is the master bathroom. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with striking views of Luna Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House, the modern soaking tub provides the ultimate spot to relax and soak in views of the city. Continue reading below the photo.

The Pier One Sydney Harbour is nestled along the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and blends Federation-style architecture with contemporary design. Guest rooms and suite have a nautical theme, accented by original timber and ironwork. The high end boutique hotel offers a unique setting in the heart of The Rocks, with historic dining and entertainment options nearby. Plus, the on-site Gantry Restaurant and Bar, wellness offerings, and in-room massage services.

In honor of Election Day 2016 in the U.S.A, we're celebrating three All-American destinations where visitors can visit historic sites that played key roles in the country's history and freedoms. From Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., here are three great places to discover.

1. Philadelphia
Founded by William Penn in 1682, this city played a key role in the founding of the country. During the American Revolution, Philadelphia was a meeting place for the Founding Fathers of the United States. Within Independence Hall, the country's founders debated and ultimately signed the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution (1787). Today, the Independence National Historic Park provides a hands-on history lesson, where visitors can see the Liberty Bell, as well as tour Independence Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Read more below.Tip: Spend the night across the street from the National Historic Park at the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia. Set within the Lafayette Building built in 1906, the boutique hotel offers iconic views, rooftop lounge overlooking Independence Mall, and a chef-driven restaurant.

2. Boston
"One if by land, two if by sea..."
One of the oldest cities in the U.S., Boston was the site of key events during the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. From the east side balcony of the Old State House, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed to cheering crowds by Colonel Thomas Crafts on July 18, 1776. Continue reading below the photo.Tip: Wake up to views of the Old State House at the Ames Boston Hotel. This boutique hotel combines a historic building with Romanesque arched windows and fireplaces, with modern design. Along the Freedom Trail, guest rooms have white marble rainshowers, hardwood floors, and large windows with historic views.

3. Washington, D.C.
The nation's capital city, there's a political point of interest on nearly every corner (or so it seems). From the White House lawn to the majestic National Monument, there are captivating points of interest. Spend the day exploring the Smithsonian Museums, take a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building, or discover the iconic Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, and veterans memorials. Continue below. Tip: The Hay-Adams Hotel offers views of the White House and St. John's Church. Built in the 1920s as a residential hotel, the boutique property offers the feel of a private residence, directly on Lafayette Square. In the evenings, retire for a cocktail at the Off the Record Bar, a popular place to be seen (but not heard) by politicos and visitors alike.